Cat Stevens slams Pope

2006-09-24 14:18

London - Yusuf Islam, the British singer known as Cat Stevens before his conversion to Islam, on Sunday added to the criticism of Pope Benedict XVI's recent remarks about the religion.

Islam, known for his 1970s hits including Father And Son and Wild World, said that the pope quoting from a medieval text which attacks some of the Prophet Mohammed's teachings as "evil and inhuman" showed the pontiff was not infallible.

Roman Catholic theology says that the pope cannot err in teachings on faith or morals.

In an interview with BBC television, Islam said that he went to a Catholic school, "so at one point I used to believe that the Pope was infallible".

But he added that the pope's comments on Islam showed he was fallible, "because of the kind of interpretation he had of Islam, he should read Gandhi and find out what he said about Islam," the singer said, adding that the Indian leader had a more peaceful interpretation of the faith.

The pontiff "should have looked elsewhere if he wanted to quote but we respect the Pope and his position - I do believe he has retracted in a way that statement and that's all to the good."

The pope's comments sparked outrage around the Muslim world and he has now said he was "deeply sorry" for the reaction they caused.

Perhaps Britain's most famous Muslim, 58-year-old Islam became a Muslim in 1977 after a near-death experience and is now a children's charity campaigner.

In 2004, Islam was on a flight from London to the United States which was diverted when he was found to be on a no-fly list. He was detained by US security officials before being sent back to Britain.

The music star said he has had "no explanation" for the incident but says he is now welcomed when he travels to the United States.

He also spoke out against Muslim extremism after British Home Secretary John Reid last week was barracked by a protestor, saying: "When a person actually doesn't abide by the basic etiquettes of Islamic life and behaviour, you can't blame Islam, you have to look at the individual."

- SAPA